CLEVELAND, Ohio – Covid cases may be on the rise but the “We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert” show will go on Saturday, Aug. 21, in Central Park — and worldwide via CNN. The festivities begin at 5 p.m., with performers including Paul Simon, Andrea Bocelli, Journey, the Killers, LL Cool J, Babyface, Jon Batiste, the New York Philharmonic, Barry Manilow, Earth, Wind & Fire and pairings of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith and Santana with Rob Thomas.
Two singers who portrayed Aretha Franklin this year — Jennifer Hudson (“Respect”) and Cynthia Erivo (“Genius: Aretha”) are also on the bill. Hudson tells us that she excited to “just be amongst people and celebrating through music and getting to perform, because we haven’t performed for too many people live over the past year or so, and I miss it. I’m so looking forward to it and I love seeing people come together in goodness. I hope the sun is shining and it’s really hot, ‘cause both me and Aretha love some heat!”
Other events (subject to change)…
FRIDAY, AUG. 20
Dead and Company’s tour streamcasts continue at 7:30 p.m. from Citi Field in New York City. Tickets via nugs.net. The group will also stream shows this week from Philadelphia (Saturday, Aug. 21), Bethel, N.Y. (Monday, Aug. 23) and Darien Center, N.Y. (Wednesday, Aug. 25)
Switchfoot celebrates the release of its new album, “interrobang,” with a streaming concert at 8 p.m. Tickets via switchfoot.com.
New York rocker Jesse Malin plays an…